Matthew Petillo

Matthew is a graduate of the University of Kansas with degrees in computer science and multimedia journalism. At Citizen Journal, he works at the intersection of code and coverage. His email is matthew@citizenjournal.us.

Paid-members only

McPherson County

ANALYSIS: McPherson sales tax disbursements up 3.2% from a year ago

McPherson's rise is in line with six similar Kansas cities, and its use tax, up 6.6%, is behind them.

Methodology: how and why we publish sales + use tax numbers

Yes, they're different.

Kansas

Postal employee pleads guilty to stealing gift cards, cash from mail

Neighbor's tip led to discovery of 141 gift cards, USPS master keys

Lawrence

Lone Star Lake algae advisory holds after Sept. 14 test; next KDHE retest set for Sept. 28

Boating and fishing remain safe at the watch level

Lawrence

Lawrence appeals board to hear contractor's challenge to license revocation and five-year ban

City claims that contractor performed unpermitted work, lied on work history forms

Kansas

VP Vance, Sen. Marshall, Masterson, and others hold rally in Olathe

Topics included economy, manufacturing jobs, and attacking Democrats

Lawrence

Lawrence will renovate Fire Station 3 instead of moving it, starting with a $425,000 repair contract

Vote passed unanimously, comes amid other spending on the department

Lawrence

Lone Star Lake still under algae watch advisory; boating and fishing OK, swimming discouraged

The lake, in southwest Douglas County, has been under the state advisory since July 24 — more than six weeks

Lawrence

Eudora school board set to vote Thursday on exceeding revenue neutral tax rate, adopting 2026-27 budget

Neither the proposed mill levy nor the revenue neutral rate it would exceed appears in any of the three agendas.

McPherson County

McPherson County Planning and Zoning board recommends banning data centers

Ban would only affect unincorporated areas, goes to county commission

Kansas

Kansas government subdomains hijacked to advertise porn, gambling, illegal streaming

In one case, the hijacking went undetected for over two years

McPherson County

INTERVIEW: Rev. Adam Hamilton talks family, health care, religion

Hamilton is running for U.S. Senator in Kansas; hopes to nab Dem nomination Aug 4

Paid-members only

McPherson County

PHOTOS: Rock the Block 2026 brings deals, prizes and air guitar

Shoppers walked away with over $500 in prizes from event, businesses walked away with community connections

McPherson County

A letter to McPherson

Introducing our Founders Club

Paid-members only

McPherson County

Newly released affidavit claims Hawkinson called police after alleged manslaughter

Victim pronounced deceased on scene, KBI investigated

McPherson County

Released Hawkinson affidavit alleges beating of a minor led to seizures

Victim had to be resuscitated twice en route to hospital